Aimo

I remember the first time hearing that song.

It was on a calm evening, right here in Griffith Park, with the same person sitting right beside me now. Ranka.

Much has happened since then, we have both grown so much; the scale of which can't be measured merely with words.

It took me a near loss to understand the extent to which she has moved me all these times.

She said this song is the love song of the Vajras, to think a person of her size is related to a whole other alien colony out there is simply ineffable. Then again, I did tell her she has more guts than her looks tells me.

And I. Almost wiped the Vajras out in the blindness of my hate, my ignorance.

"Alto-kun…"

"Yes?"

There it is. The same hesitant smile with a tinge of shyness, the same one I saw before the battle, in this same place that night that started all nights for me.

"Can we… fold paper planes again? I've been thinking about it the whole time I was away."

"Ah… Sure."

What is with her and her fascination with my paper planes, and why didn't I notice the papers she has prepared at the side?

Wait, this is not quite how it's supposed to be. The atmosphere is still quite tense. I haven't been able to bring up the issue about that night. How am I supposed to bring it up without causing the atmosphere to worsen…?

"Alto-kun…? Is something bothering you?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing."

Well, she did smile when I came to her rescue, we did exchange glances when I left her with Sheryl on the platform before the final battle…

"Ranka…?"

"Yes?"

"About that night…"

"Ah… Yes."

There she goes again. The blush. Damn, how am I supposed to make it more natural, guess there is no other way, is there?

"Don't ever do that again."

"Oh, sorry. I guess there won't be another opportunity such as that anymore."

"Good."

"Huh?"

"Well, you got us into a lot of trouble."

"I am aware of that…. And I am really sorry for everything bad that has happened as a result but at the time I thought it was best to leave…"

"Nevermind that. I meant to ask something else."

And an ever deeper shade of pink painted her cheeks.

"What you said that night… did you mean it? I mean, I… just want to make sure I didn't hear it wrongly."

"I meant every word, Alto-kun. Except the part I said goodbye, at least I don't mean it now."

She smiled the best she can in all her shyness. This is so awkward.

"Great. So, don't ever do that again. Don't ever go somewhere I can't reach you."

"I won't."

She said that song was a love song of the Vajras. The song which moved me, the song which helped me decide. All this time, I have been too oblivious.

"Hey Ranka, do you think you can sing that song again? Aimo? For old times?"

"Sure!"

And there she goes again, with the sun setting in the foreground, she stands and closes her eyes. Then, she sings.

"Aimo, aimo, neder rushe…."

The world is back to its usual colour now. I silently watch as she advances towards the same spot she took when I stumbled into her, wearing the same expression when she's singing then. Much has happened yet, some things remain the same.

I slowly got up and advanced towards her and gave her a peck on the cheek as she was just about to come to the end of the song.

"Alto-k-"

And I sealed it with a kiss the moment she exclaimed in shock.

Whoever said this song was the Vajra's love song has got to get their facts right. Thing is, I don't think it only applies to the Vajras.

I tightened my embrace.

Never again.

Oh... and Mikhail, you were right. Thanks bud...